SoftBank Group (SFTBY) has made a significant move in the AI sector by investing $41 billion in OpenAI, marking one of the largest private financing rounds in AI history. This investment secures SoftBank an estimated 11% ownership stake in OpenAI, which recently raised $22.5 billion, building on previous investments of $7.5 billion and $11 billion. Additionally, SoftBank’s recent $4 billion acquisition of DigitalBridge Group reflects its ambition to create a vertically integrated AI ecosystem encompassing digital infrastructure, data centers, and model development. As OpenAI’s valuation surged from $300 billion in 2025 to $500 billion after a secondary stock offering, CEO Masayoshi Son emphasized this all-in strategy for next-generation computing. Collaboration with Oracle on the Stargate data center project showcases SoftBank’s commitment to enhancing its AI infrastructure. This strategic pivot highlights SoftBank’s focus on fundamental AI infrastructure to capitalize on increasing global computing power demand, according to analysts.
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